The forms of violence to which women with disabilities are subjected are varied; physical, psychological, sexual or financial violence, neglect, entrapment, degradation, and forced sterilization and psychiatric treatment. Women with disabilities are twice or three times as likely to experience domestic and other forms of gender-based and sexual violence as non-disabled women, and are likely to experience abuse over a longer period and to suffer more severe injuries as a result of the violence. Their abuser may also be their caregiver, someone that the individual is reliant on for personal care or mobility and they are not privy to the same information available to non-disabled women. Sexual and gender-based violence contributes to the incidence of disability among women and girls.
Although violence against women with disabilities occurs among every class, racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural category, such social and class distinctions make a difference when analyzing specific responses to violence as well as its nature, causes, and consequences in context.
This report argues that effective responses will require multilayered local as well as global approaches:
Download report (off-site)- Topics:
- Gender, violence, Abuse and Neglect
- Author:
- Stephanie Ortoleva and Hope Lewi
- Date published:
- Tue 21st Aug, 2012